Collectible display device

ABSTRACT

A display device having a rigid based form is provided for supporting collectible items. The display device includes at least two arms which support the collectible item, such as a miniature jersey, and a seat which supports a novelty item, such as confectionary.

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication number 60/206,173 filed on May 22, 2000, the entirety ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a collectible display device and morespecifically to a device for displaying collectible miniature jerseysand holding novelty items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In recent decades, the popularity of collecting sportsmemorabilia has increased. The objects collected range from sportsequipment and baseball cards to team jerseys. Sports memorabilia fits ina class of collectibles which are desired by both adults and children.Collectible items are often displayed for sale in unique ways. Baseballcards may be displayed in clear packaging allowing the buyer to see oneor more cards at a time. U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,092 shows a device fordisplaying a collectible baseball bat.

[0004] A common sales practice is to combine sale of a product with anovelty item. The consumer attraction to either the product or noveltyitem makes the combination more desirable to the consumer. U.S. Pat. No.6,027,752 shows a plush candy pop holder combined with a candy pop on astick. The holder is designed to increase the enjoyment of the candyconsumer by increasing tactile stimulation. However, the device is notdesigned to be a holder of collectible clothing which typically is nothandled.

[0005] Clothing is often displayed upon a form or mannequin. The formprovides a structure which fills out the clothing, simulating its statewhen worn by a person. Thus, the clothing is more visible to a consumer.U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,099 shows a relatively complex mannequin typeclothing display. However, collectible miniature clothing will not beworn by people. Thus, a more simple form, which still displays fully theshape and design of the jersey is appropriate.

[0006] What is desired is an inexpensive device which will displaycollectible jerseys as well as act as a holder for a novelty item.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a display device for collectibleitems. The invention provides in one aspect a form having at least twoarms for supporting the collectible item and having a seat forsupporting a novelty item. The form has a rigid base.

[0008] The invention provides in another aspect a collectible comprisinga miniature shirt bearing a logo, a form having two arms for supportingsleeves of the shirt in an extended position and a seat for supporting anovelty item. Further, the form has a rigid base. The invention providesin yet another aspect a collectible comprising a rigid housing having anupper section and a base section, the upper section being in the shapeof a shirt and having a seat for supporting a novelty item.

[0009] An advantage of the present invention is the ability to displaycollectibles in combination with the sale of the collectible and anovelty item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010]FIG. 1 is a front view of display device and a collectible whichis a miniature jersey;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a front view of a display device with a skeleton frame;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a front view of a display device with a solid frame;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a multi level display case;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a display device with acollectible integral with the form; and

[0015]FIG. 6 is a front view of a display device without a novelty item.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a display device10. The display device 10, as described in more detail below, comprisesa form 20, a collectible miniature jersey 40 and a novelty item 50. Thedisplay device 10 supports a collectible jersey 40 and a novelty item 50for sale to a consumer. Alternatively, the display device 10 may be usedby the consumer following the sale to support the miniature jersey 30for display purposes.

[0017] The display device 10 includes a form 20 which supports a jersey40 and a novelty item 50. The form 20 has an elongate shape and includestwo arms 21 and 22, a top 25 and a base 26. In one embodiment shown inFIG. 2, the form 20 comprises a skeleton having a central vertical post24 and two extended arms 21 and 22. In an alternate embodiment shown inFIG. 3, the form 20 is solid with two horizontally projecting lobes 21and 22 which simulate arms to support the sleeves of a miniature jersey.As shown in FIG. 1, when mounted on the form 20, the jersey sleeves arein a horizontally extended position, meaning a position different fromthat of an unsupported sleeve naturally draped. Thus, the full frontview of the jersey face may be viewed by a collector or consumer.

[0018] The display device 10 includes a seat 30 for supporting a noveltyitem 50. In an embodiment, the seat 30 is an aperture. The aperture maybe located anywhere upon the form 20. The seat 30 may also be a post,tab, hook, depression or threaded section of the display device 10. Asillustrated, the seat 30 is located upon the top 25 of the form 20 suchthat the form 20 supports the novelty item 50 in the aperture. In theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the novelty item 50 is supported on astick 52 and the stick 52 is inserted into an aperture on the form 20.The novelty item 50 illustrated is a confectionery item such as alollipop, but may also be a miniature ball, such as a baseball,football, soccer ball or a ball from another sport or a simulation of aperson's head. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the display device may be usedwithout a novelty item as well.

[0019] Referring again to FIG. 1, the form 20 includes a rigid orsupporting base 26. The base 26 is provided at the lower end of thecentral vertical post 24. The base 26 supports the form 20 in thecondition illustrated in FIG. 1. A separate stand 28 may also beattached to the form 20 to support the device. The stand 28 may also beintegrally formed with the base 26 and form 20. Utilizing the stand 28,the display device 10 may be stood upon a flat surface. The form 20 ismanufactured from plastic, metal, wood, or glass.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 5, the stand 28 may include a finger activatedbutton switch 60. The button switch 60 is electronically connected to anelectronic chip 62 mounted upon the stand 28. When activated, theelectronic chip 62 audibly plays music, songs, words, or crowd noises.Also attached to the stand 28 is a power supply 64. The power supply 64provides power to the electronic chip 62.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 6, the miniature collectible sports jersey 40has sleeves and a front and back. Typically professional, amateur, orschool team logos, other trademarks, or country titles are placed uponthe front and/or the back of the jersey 40. Jerseys 40 are miniaturerepresentations of full-sized jerseys for professional or amateur teamsin the sports of basketball, soccer, hockey, football, auto racing andother sports. The illustrated jerseys 40 are made of cloth and may beremoved from the form for trading by collectors, but may be made frompaper or plastic, or may be integral with the form 20 as shown in FIG.5.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, at the point of sale, multiple displaydevices 10 may be displayed upon a multi-tiered rack 70. The rack 70 isused for vending purposes or to display a personal collection of theconsumer. The multi-tiered rack 70 comprises a box 72 and multiple tiers74. The multiple tiers 74 allow multiple rows of display devices 10 tobe mounted and jerseys 40 to be viewed.

[0023] Although the invention has been shown and described withreference to certain embodiments, the invention is not limited to thesespecific embodiments. Minor variations and differences in the variouscombinations of materials and methods of application may occur to thoseof ordinary skill in the art while remaining within the scope of theinvention as claimed and equivalents.

1. A display device for supporting a collectible item comprising: a formhaving an arm for supporting said collectible item; said form having aseat for supporting a novelty item; said form having a rigid base. 2.The display device of claim 1 further including a stand for supportingsaid rigid base.
 3. The display device of claim 1 wherein said seatincludes an aperture for supporting said novelty item.
 4. The displaydevice of claim 1 wherein said seat is located at a top portion of saidform.
 5. The display device of claim 1 wherein said novelty item isengaged with said seat.
 6. The display device of claim 5 wherein thenovelty item is a confectionery.
 7. The display device of claim 5wherein the novelty item is a toy.
 8. A collectible comprising: aminiature shirt bearing a logo and having two sleeves; a form forsupporting said shirt having two extended arm portions supporting saidsleeves in an extended position; said form having a seat for holding anovelty item.
 9. The collectible of claim 8 wherein said shirt is aflexible fabric material.
 10. The collectible of claim 8 wherein saidshirt is a paper material.
 11. The collectible of claim 8 wherein saidshirt is a plastic material.
 12. The collectible of claim 8 furtherincluding a multi-tiered rack for purposes of vending.
 13. The displaydevice of claim 8 wherein said collectible item is removable from saidform.
 14. The collectible of claim 8 further including a stand.
 15. Thecollectible of claim 14 wherein said stand includes a finger activatingbutton and an electronic chip and power supply, which when said buttonis activated plays music.
 16. A collectible comprising: a rigid housinghaving an upper section and a base section; said upper section being inthe shape of a shirt; said upper section having a seat for supporting anovelty item.
 17. The sports related collectible of claim 16 wherein therigid housing is standable.